Doctrines of Faith, Vol. 7: Soteriology

Volume 7 in a set of 7 textbooks prepared for 

Seventh-day Baptist Seminaries

Three very basic questions are asked or thought by almost all of us at one time or another: “Where did I come from?”, “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?”. Because the concept of salvation is central to many religious beliefs, ‘The Salvation Encyclopaedia’ seeks to understand this last question from the standpoint of various faith communities and systems of belief. 

For the purposes of this treatise, salvation is the concept that God or another Higher Power “saves” humanity from spiritual death or eternal damnation by providing for them an eternal life (or some form of afterlife).

Different faith communities have diverse views on salvation, ranging from exclusive paths through specific beliefs or actions, to inclusive perspectives that recognize the potential for salvation in various ways. Some faiths, like Christianity, Islam, and certain strands of Judaism, emphasize belief in a particular God or divine figure and adherence to specific teachings as essential for salvation. Other faiths, like Hinduism and Buddhism, focus on spiritual liberation through practices, actions, or knowledge to break free from the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation).

Most Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism do not believe in salvation in the sense understood by most Westerners. They do not focus on Heaven or Hell as the end of life, but on knowledge.

Your author believes that no singular faith community has a monopoly on God and through the Holy Spirit the saving gift and grace of Christ is manifested in other religions beyond the visible confines of any Church or faith community. 

Adherents to other faiths are our enemies but rather fellow travellers. Thankfully, God is the Judge.